Contact us

Full-service provider of industrial catalysis. This is C&CS.

Cocoa butter substitute (CBR, CBS, CBE)

Encapsulated nickel catalysts are widely used for partial and complete fat hydrogenation, particularly for the hydrogenation of triglycerides derived from vegetable and animal oils. Hydrogenated fats produced with nickel catalysts are key raw materials for the manufacture of cocoa butter equivalents, cocoa butter replacements, and cocoa butter substitutes (CBE, CBR, and CBS), which are essential ingredients in the confectionery industry.

Declining cocoa bean production combined with steadily growing global demand for chocolate has significantly increased the need for cocoa butter alternatives. CBE, CBR, and CBS are not only more cost-effective than natural cocoa butter, but they can also be tailored to improve taste, texture, and processing behavior. In particular, non-lauric cocoa butter replacements (CBR) are widely used in confectionery applications, as they meet the industry’s demand for sharp-melting fats with defined crystallization properties.

  • Cocoa butter equivalent (CBE) has a chemical composition and physical properties comparable to natural cocoa butter and is fully compatible with cocoa butter in any blending ratio.
  • Cocoa butter substitute (CBS) is based on lauric fats such as coconut oil. It mimics some physical properties of cocoa butter but differs in composition and is therefore suitable only as a full replacement.
  • Cocoa butter replacement (CBR) is based on non-lauric fats such as palm oil. It shows a similar fatty acid distribution but a significantly different triacylglycerol (TAG) structure and is compatible with cocoa butter only in limited proportions.

In fat hydrogenation, catalysts with a reduced content of active metal are typically applied to ensure controlled reaction behavior. Encapsulated nickel catalysts allow precise adjustment of key product specifications such as trans-triglyceride content, melting point, and solid fat profile. Both partial and complete hydrogenation can be reliably achieved.

Nickel catalysts for fat hydrogenation are based on nickel supported on silicate carriers, contain a reduced nickel loading, and are encapsulated with a vegetable-based protective coating. This design ensures safe handling, stable performance, and consistent product quality in the production of CBE, CBR, and CBS.